Sahar Mirzaei; Somayeh Esmaeili
Abstract
IntroductionNative turfgrasses are valuable due to their higher tolerance to environmental stresses, lower maintenance requirements, and reduced irrigation and fertilization needs compared ...
Read More
IntroductionNative turfgrasses are valuable due to their higher tolerance to environmental stresses, lower maintenance requirements, and reduced irrigation and fertilization needs compared to imported species. Turfgrass species with low-input adaptability while maintaining acceptable quality are gaining attention among lawn managers, as they help reduce maintenance costs, particularly those associated with mowing and environmental impact. This study aims to assess eight native turfgrass genotypes based on seed germination performance, visual quality, morpho-physiological traits, and wear tolerance. The ultimate goal is to identify high-performing genotypes that align with breeding objectives, facilitating the development of improved turfgrass cultivars that can replace foreign varieties. These optimized cultivars will serve as acclimated alternatives for urban green space managers and suburban planners.Materials and MethodsEight native turfgrass species were collected from various regions of Iran, including Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinaceae, F. ovina, F. rubra, Agropyron cristatum, A. intermedium, Poa pratensis, and P. trivialis. The study evaluated seed germination indices, establishment speed, visual quality, growth characteristics and chlorophyll content. For germination, seeds were germinated in Petri dishes for 15 days under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 OC, 513 µmol m-2 s-1, 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod, and 60% relative humidity). Germination percentage and rate were determined following Maguire (1968). As for growth and morphology, grass height was measured using a ruler, while tiller number per plant was counted. The appearance (color, density, uniformity) was assessed on a 1-9 scale, where 1= worst and 9=best (Morris and Sheerman, 2000). A wearing stress simulator was used to simulate injuries equivalent to three football matches per week (Canaway, 1976). Fresh and dry weight were measured using a digital scale, while chlorophyll content (mg g-1 FW) was determined based on Maxwell and Johnson (2000).Results and DiscussionResults showed that L. perenne exhibited the highest seed germination percentage and rate among all genotypes. It also ranked highest in visual quality, plant height, tillering, shoot fresh and dry weight and chlorophyll content. However, it showed no significant difference in most traits compared to F. arundinacea, suggesting both genotypes have strong potential for turf applications. Additionally, our analysis aligned with the report by Głąb et al. (2024), confirming that L. perenne and F. arundinacea genotypes exhibit exceptional wear tolerance. This suggests that incorporating these genotypes into multi-objective breeding programs can significantly improve turf performance in high-wear areas such as football fields, golf courses and other green spaces. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.94) between seed germination rate and all measured traits, highlighting the importance of both quantitative and qualitative seed traits in determining establishment success, visual quality, chlorophyll content, and overall growth in turfgrasses. ConclusionThe findings suggest that native genotypes of L. perenne and F. arundinaceae are suitable replacements for foreign turfgrasses in urban green spaces and sport fields. Additionally, species from the Agropyron spp. are recommended for suburban spaces and low-maintenance landscapes. Overall, this study underscores Iran’s potential to enhance turfgrass germplasm resources, develop breeding programs, and cultivate climate-adapted varieties by leveraging promising native turfgrass genotypes.
